Moving ahead with the aim of becoming a leading pan-India player, the cement division of Dalmia Bharat Enterprises Limited, today announced its plans to penetrate into the eastern and southern markets of India, through its two upcoming Greenfield projects adding a combined capacity of five million tonnes to its cement production.

Marking its entry into next phase of growth, the company will invest Rs. 2500 crore in these two plants coming up in Karnataka and Meghalaya.

Mr. Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director, Dalmia Bharat Enterprises Ltd, said “the expansion move was in line with the company’s focus on becoming a pan-India player. Looking at the fundamental drivers of the sector, we believe it is good to begin with the capex. Our recent association with KKR has given us deep pockets and patient capital to strengthen our expansion plans and we are happy to be back on track with this flag off. “

Through Avnija Properties Ltd (APL)., the group holds cement plants in Southern States of Tamil Nadu (Dalmiapuram & Ariyalur) and Andhra Pradesh (Kadapa), with a total capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum. It also holds a stake of 45.4 % in OCL India Ltd., which has 5.3 MnT in Eastern India.